U.S. patent application number 09/776114 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-04 for portable system for inputting, editing, and outputting digital multimedia data.
Invention is credited to Grimes, Ariel S..
Application Number | 20040218911 09/776114 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33311229 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040218911 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grimes, Ariel S. |
November 4, 2004 |
Portable system for inputting, editing, and outputting digital
multimedia data
Abstract
A portable system for inputting, editing, and outputting digital
multimedia data, that includes a PCMCIA memory card, a camcorder, a
digital camera, a TV, and a computer. The camcorder, the digital
camera, or the VCR directly receives therein the PCMCIA memory
card, and records thereon, digital multimedia data of what is being
recorded by the camcorder, the digital camera, or the VCR. The TV
is operatively connected to the VCR. The VCR alternatively directly
receives therein the PCMCIA memory card and allows the TV to play
the digital multimedia data stored on the PCMCIA memory card
directly received in the VCR. The computer directly receives
therein the PCMCIA memory card, and saves thereon, digital
multimedia data of what is being saved by the computer. The
computer, alternatively, directly receives therein the PCMCIA
memory card and plays the digital multimedia data recorded on the
PCMCIA memory card by one of the camcorder, the digital camera, the
VCR, and the computer, respectively. The computer, alternatively,
directly receives therein the PCMCIA memory card and allows the
digital multimedia data recorded on the PCMCIA memory card by one
of the camcorder, the digital camera, the VCR, and the computer,
respectively, to be edited.
Inventors: |
Grimes, Ariel S.; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARIEL S. GRIMES
549 FDR DRIVE
APT. #6A
NEW YORK
NY
10002
US
|
Family ID: |
33311229 |
Appl. No.: |
09/776114 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
386/216 ;
386/218; 386/224; 386/E5.067 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/907 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/117 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/76 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A portable system for inputting, editing, and outputting digital
multimedia data, comprising: a) a PCMCIA memory card; b) a
camcorder directly receiving therein said PCMCIA memory card, and
recording thereon, digital multimedia data of what is being
recorded by said camcorder; c) a digital camera directly receiving
therein said PCMCIA memory card, and recording thereon, digital
multimedia data of what is being recorded by said digital camera;
d) a VCR directly receiving therein said PCMCIA memory card, and
recording thereon, digital multimedia data of what is being
recorded by said VCR; e) a TV operatively connected to said VCR;
said VCR alternatively directly receiving therein said PCMCIA
memory card and allowing said TV to play said digital multimedia
data stored on said PCMCIA memory card by one of said camcorder,
said digital camera, said VCR, and said computer, directly received
in said VCR; and f) a computer directly receiving therein said
PCMCIA memory card, and saving thereon, digital multimedia data of
what is being saved by said computer; said computer, alternatively,
directly receiving therein said PCMCIA memory card and playing said
digital multimedia data recorded on said PCMCIA memory card by one
of said camcorder, said digital camera, said VCR, and said
computer, respectively; said computer, alternatively, directly
receiving therein said PCMCIA memory card and allowing said digital
multimedia data recorded on said PCMCIA memory card by one of said
camcorder, said digital camera, said VCR, and said computer,
respectively, to be edited.
2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said VCR and said TV
are combined in a miniature TV/VCR combo.
3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said computer is a
laptop.
4. A method of using a portable system for inputting, editing, and
outputting digital multimedia data, comprising the steps of: a)
loading a PCMCIA card of said portable system into one of a digital
camera of said portable system, a camcorder of said portable
system, a computer of said portable system, and a VCR of said
portable system; b) activating said one of said digital camera,
said camcorder, said computer, and said VCR to input digital
multimedia data to said PCMCIA card so as to form a data-stored
PCMCIA card; c) removing said data-stored PCMCIA CARD from said one
of said digital camera, said camcorder, said computer, and said
VCR; d) determining if said digital multimedia data stored on said
data-stored PCMCIA card is to be edited; e) going directly to step
h), if answer to step d) is no; f) loading said data-stored PCMCIA
card into said computer, if answer to step d) is yes; g) editing
said digital multimedia data stored on said data-stored PCMCIA
card, if step f) is performed; h) loading said data-stored PCMCIA
card into one of said computer and said VCR; and i) viewing said
digital multimedia data stored on said data-stored PCMCIA card.
5. The method as defined in claim 4, wherein said step of loading a
PCMCIA card of said portable system into one of a digital camera of
said portable system, a camcorder of said portable system, a
computer of said portable system, and a VCR of said portable system
includes loading a PCMCIA card of said portable system into one of
a digital camera of said portable system, a camcorder of said
portable system, a computer of said portable system which is a
laptop, and a VCR of said portable system.
6. The method as defined in claim 4, wherein said step of loading
said data-stored PCMCIA card into one of said computer and said VCR
includes loading said data-stored PCMCIA card into one of said
computer and said VCR which is operatively connected to a TV of
said portable system.
7. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein said step of loading
said data-stored PCMCIA card into one of said computer and said VCR
which is operatively connected to a TV of said portable system
includes loading said data-stored PCMCIA card into one of said
computer and a miniature TV/VCR combo of said portable system.
8. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein said step of viewing
said digital multimedia data stored on said data-stored PCMCIA card
includes viewing said digital multimedia data stored on said
data-stored PCMCIA card on one of said computer and said TV.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a system for inputting,
editing, and outputting multimedia. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a portable system for inputting, editing, and
outputting digital multimedia data.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Live action or full motion video has been used with personal
computers, particularly for so-called multimedia presentations
where different types of media are combined to present information
to a user. In addition, personal computers have been increasingly
used in video applications to manipulate video signals (e.g.,
editing, computer animation, or the like).
[0005] Motion video is interpreted to mean any video segment or
presentation including live action, real time, or full motion
video. Examples of motion video include, but are not limited to,
NTSC, PAL, SECAM, or MUSE type television signals, digital or
analog HDTV signals, or the like, including live television signals
or broadcasts, cable television signals or the like, or motion
picture video, which may be suitably digitized and converted into a
format suitable for presentation on a computer display. The term
motion video may also include, but is not limited to, any computer
generated display or display segment, including computer animation
or the like.
[0006] For multimedia presentations, it is particularly useful to
be able to provide a motion video interface to a portable or
so-called notebook or laptop computer or the like (collectively
refereed to hereinafter as "portable computer") to display motion
video on a computer screen or attached monitor or television. A
separate video interface may be provided in a portable computer,
tied to the system bus or incorporated into the video adapter in
order to import motion video into the portable computer. Such an
interface, however, would increase the cost of a personal or
portable computer significantly. Since only a portion of computer
users are envisioned as requiring such a video interface, it is
desirable to be able to offer a video interface as an add-on option
for a personal or portable computer.
[0007] In order to support optional features for portable or
personal computers, an industry standard known as the PCMCIA
standard has been developed to allow computer manufactures to offer
optional features on a removable card, referred to as a PCMCIA
card. Optional features such as modems, I/O ports, network
interfaces, memory, and even hard drives have been incorporated
into PCMCIA cards which may be used to upgrade a portable or
personal computer to add such features.
[0008] Unfortunately, the PCMCIA standard has some inherent
limitations, which make it difficult to adapt to video data
transmission. For motion video, digitized under the CCIR 601
standard, for example, an average bandwidth of 27 megabytes per
second may be required in order to transmit the video data from one
device to another.
[0009] Modern high performance computers (e.g., Intel.TM.,
Pentium.TM., 486-33 MHz, or the like) using advanced bus structures
such as the PCI or VESA bus architecture may have a memory
bandwidth in the range of 25 to 35 megabytes per second. Thus,
motion video data can be successfully transmitted within the bus
structure of a high performance personal or portable computer.
PCMCIA, however, has a bandwidth limitation of five megabytes per
second. Thus, the PCMCIA interface acts as a bottleneck or barrier
for transmitting continuous motion video to a portable or personal
computer.
[0010] Various video compression techniques are known in the art
and have been implemented to reduce bandwidth or increase channel
space, for example, for satellite, cable TV, so-called "Video On
Demandt" or other video services (e.g., Picturephone T or the
like). One technique developed for black and white video
transmission iLs described in "Block Truncation Coding: A New
Approach to Image Compression," O. R. Mitchell et al., Conference
Records, IEEE International Conference on Communication I, June
1978, 12B.1.1-12B.1.4, which utilized a relatively simple
technique. This technique relies upon the fact that the human eye
generally does not ascertain all of the minute distinctions which
may be present in a video signal. In order to provide a useful
video image, one need only reproduce a video image which is
visually indistinguishable from the transmitted image, regardless
as to whether any of the quality of the data is lost.
[0011] Although, this technique reduces the analog pixel values to
discrete levels, the system still requires at least one bit per
pixel to transmit the luminance values (relative intensities) for
each pixel in the matrix. In addition, the two moment values (mean
and standard deviation) must also be transmitted for each matrix of
pixels. This technique also does not provide for the transmission
of color images. Finally, since the pixels are arranged in a
matrix, the data must be serialized at the receiver in order to
provide image data in a scan line format.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,139 to Eglit et al., overcomes these
problems, by providing a PCMCIA card which can transmit full motion
or live action video through PCMCIA host to a computer data bus,
and which is included herein by reference thereto.
[0013] Numerous innovations for multimedia input and output devices
have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even
though these innovations may be suitable for the specific
individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ
from the present invention.
[0014] FOR EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,117 to Schoolman teaches a
portable television playback system that includes a video source
unit, video processing circuitry, audio processing circuitry, and a
stereo viewing and sound unit. The video source unit is a
television receiver, a small videocassette tape cartridge player,
or a stereo optical video disc player. The viewing and sound unit
has stereoscopic and stereophonic capabilities and is generally a
head worn unit having right and left image display devices and
right and left earphones. The video and audio processing circuits
receive the signals from the video source unit and parallel the
video and audio signals to drive the stereo output devices if the
source is a television receiver or a videocassette tape player or
perform demultiplexing functions to separate the right and left
video and audio signals from the right and left multiplexed
video/audio signals. The video source unit and the video and audio
processing circuits are packaged in a single portable case which
may be connected to the head worn viewing and sound unit by an
appropriate cable for use.
[0015] ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,514 to Haberkern
teaches a video/sound apparatus in the form of a suitcase-like
foldable housing, including a housing cover portion for
accommodating a projection screen as well as a housing bottom
portion for accommodating various control elements, the video/sound
apparatus including further a video recording and playback device
as well as auxiliary receptacles for connection with auxiliary
equipment, with the two housing portions being joined to one
another by a hinge member which contains the stereo speakers, and
with the video/sound apparatus also being equipped with a TV
receiving/reproduction section and a CD record player. While the
video/sound apparatus according to the invention is very versatile
with respect to its various functions which go beyond that of an
apparatus for use strictly as a video/sound recorder, it is very
compact and it combines the functions of a television, video
recorder and CD record player.
[0016] STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,000 to Kaloi et
al. teaches an improved electronic solid-state record/playback
device (SSRPD) and electronic system that may be used to record and
playback information such as audio, video, control, and other data.
The SSRPD uses no tape or moving parts in the actual
record/playback process but includes an audio and/or video and/or
other data record/playback module (RPM), which performs all of the
record signal conversion, recording and data compression
algorithms, digital signal processing, and playback signal
conversion. The SSRPD has program input processing and control
output processing modules so that other devices may be controlled
in different ways including interactive control. A time and control
processor module facilitates internal synchronization of the SSRPD
audio, video, and control information, as well as synchronization
with other devices. The SSRPD information described is recorded
into an internal resident memory(s). The novel interface allows
information to be exchanged without degradation via a digital
Portable Storage Device (PSD) which may be a Random Access Memory
card (RAM card), with other SSRPDs as well as to a special Computer
Interface Device (CID). The CID is an intelligent device that
connects to a standard computing device such as a PC and
facilitates functions such as reading, writing, editing, and
archiving PSD data, as well as performing diagnostic routines.
[0017] YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,139 to Eglit et al.
teaches a motion video that may be imported into a personal or
portable computer through an I/O port having a limited data
bandwidth, such as a PCMCIA interface. Motion video data is
compressed by sub-sampling both luminance and chrominance
difference data for different sized groups of pixels. The
compression apparatus may be formed on a PCMCIA card which
interfaces with a personal or portable computer. Motion video data,
compressed by as much as 5:1 or 6:1, is transferred through the
PCMCIA card to a host computer. The host computer may serialize the
compressed data and store the data in serialized compressed format
in a video memory of a video controller. The video controller is
provided with decompression circuitry to decompress the motion
video data into luminance and chrominance difference data. The
luminance and chrominance difference data is converted into RGB
data and displayed in a video display.
[0018] STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,732 to Kondo
teaches a recording and/or reproducing system that has a recording
and/or reproducing section and an interfacing unit. The recording
and/or reproducing section records and/or reproduces digital data
or digital signals on or from a loaded recording medium, such as a
magnetic tape. The interfacing unit has a first input/output
section for exchanging data and/or signals with an external
equipment and a second input/output section for exchanging data
and/or signals with the recording and/or reproducing section. The
interfacing unit converts data and/or signals supplied from the
recording/reproducing section through the second input/output
section and sends the converted data and/or signals through the
first input/output section to the external information equipment
piece, while converting data and/or signals supplied through the
first input/output section from the external information equipment
piece and sending the converted data and/or signals through the
second input/output section to the recording and/or reproducing
section.
[0019] It is apparent that numerous innovations for multimedia
input and output devices have been provided in the prior art that
are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations
may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they
address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of
the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to
provide a portable system for inputting, editing, and outputting
digital multimedia data that avoids the disadvantages of the prior
art.
[0021] ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a
portable system for inputting, editing, and outputting digital
multimedia data that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
[0022] STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide
a portable system for inputting, editing, and outputting digital
multimedia data that is simple to use.
[0023] BRIEFLY STATED, YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention
is to provide a portable system for inputting, editing, and
outputting digital multimedia data, that includes a PCMCIA memory
card, a camcorder, a digital camera, a TV, and a computer. The
camcorder, the digital camera, or the VCR directly receives therein
the PCMCIA memory card, and records thereon, digital multimedia
data of what is being recorded by the camcorder, the digital
camera, or the VCR. The TV is operatively connected to the VCR. The
VCR alternatively directly receives therein the PCMCIA memory card
and allows the TV to play the digital multimedia data stored on the
PCMCIA memory card directly received in the VCR. The computer
directly receives therein the PCMCIA memory card, and saves
thereon, digital multimedia data of what is being saved by the
computer. The computer, alternatively, directly receives therein
the PCMCIA memory card and plays the digital multimedia data
recorded on the PCMCIA memory card by one of the camcorder, the
digital camera, the VCR, and the computer, respectively. The
computer, alternatively, directly receives therein the PCMCIA
memory card and allows the digital multimedia data recorded on the
PCMCIA memory card by one of the camcorder, the digital camera, the
VCR, and the computer, respectively, to be edited.
[0024] The novel features which are considered characteristic of
the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The
invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in
connection with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0025] The figures of the drawing are briefly described as
follows:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system of the present
invention; and
[0027] FIG. 2A-2E are a flow chart of the method of using the
present invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
[0028] 10 portable system of present invention for inputting,
editing, and outputting digital multimedia data 12
[0029] 12 digital multimedia data 12
[0030] 14 PCMCIA memory card
[0031] 16 camcorder
[0032] 18 digital multimedia data of what is being recorded by
camcorder 16
[0033] 20 digital camera
[0034] 22 digital multimedia data of what is being recorded by
digital camera 20
[0035] 24 VCR
[0036] 26 digital multimedia data of what is being recorded by VCR
24
[0037] 28 TV
[0038] 30 miniature TV/VCR combo
[0039] 32 computer
[0040] 34 digital multimedia data of what is being saved by
computer 32
[0041] 36 laptop
[0042] 38 data-stored PCMCIA card
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0043] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals
indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, which is a block
diagram of the system of the present invention, the portable system
of the present invention is shown generally at 10 for inputting,
editing, and outputting digital multimedia data 12.
[0044] The configuration of the portable system 10 can best be seen
in FIG. 1, which again is a block diagram of the system of the
present invention, and as such, will be discussed with reference
thereto.
[0045] The portable system 10 comprises a PCMCIA memory card
14.
[0046] The portable system 10 further comprises a camcorder 16 that
directly receives therein the PCMCIA memory card 14, and records
thereon, digital multimedia data 18 of what is being recorded by
the camcorder 16.
[0047] The portable system 10 further comprises a digital camera 20
that directly receives therein the PCMCIA memory card 14, and
records thereon, digital multimedia data 22 of what is being
recorded by the digital camera 20.
[0048] The portable system 10 further comprises a VCR 24 that
directly receives therein the PCMCIA memory card 14, and records
thereon, digital multimedia data 26 of what is being recorded by
the VCR 24.
[0049] The portable system 10 further comprises a TV 28 that is
operatively connected to the VCR 24.
[0050] The VCR 24 alternatively directly receives therein the
PCMCIA memory card 14 and allows the TV 28 to play the digital
multimedia data 18, 22, 26, 34 stored on the PCMCIA memory card 14
directly received in the VCR 24.
[0051] The VCR 24 and the TV 28 can be combined in a miniature
TV/VCR combo 30.
[0052] The portable system 10 further comprises a computer 32 that
directly receives therein the PCMCIA memory card 14, and saves
thereon, digital multimedia data 34 of what is being saved by the
computer 32.
[0053] The computer 32, alternatively, directly receives therein
the PCMCIA memory card 14 and plays the digital multimedia data 18,
22, 26, 34 recorded on the PCMCIA memory card 14 by one of the
camcorder 16, the digital camera 18, the VCR 20, and the computer
26, respectively.
[0054] The computer 32, alternatively, directly receives therein
the PCMCIA memory card 14 and allows the digital multimedia data
18, 22, 26, 34 recorded on the PCMCIA memory card 14 by one of the
camcorder 16, the digital camera 18, the VCR 20, and the computer
26, respectively, to be edited.
[0055] The computer 32 can be a laptop 36.
[0056] The method of using the portable system 10 for inputting,
editing, and outputting digital multimedia data 12 can best be seen
in FIGS. 2A-2E, and as such, will be discussed with reference
thereto.
1 STEP 1: Load the PCMCIA memory card 14 into one of the digital
camera 20, the camcorder 16, the computer 32, and the VCR 24. STEP
2: Activate the one of the digital camera 20, the camcorder 16, the
computer 32, and the VCR 24 to input digital multimedia data 18,
22, 26, 34 to the PCMCIA memory card 14 so as to form a data-stored
PCMCIA card 38. STEP 3: Remove the data-stored PCMCIA CARD 38 from
the one of the digital camera 20, the camcorder 16, the computer
32, and the VCR 24. STEP 4: Determine if the digital multimedia
data 18, 22, 26, 34 stored on the data-stored PCMCIA card 38 is to
be edited? STEP 5: Go directly to STEP 8, if answer to STEP 4 is
no. STEP 6: Load the data-stored PCMCIA card 38 into the computer
32, if answer to STEP 4 is yes. STEP 7: Edit the digital multimedia
data 18, 22, 26, 34 stored on the data-stored PCMCIA card 38, if
STEP 6 is performed. STEP 8: Load the data-stored PCMCIA card 38
into one of the computer 32 and the VCR 24. STEP 9: View the
digital multimedia data 18, 22, 26, 34 stored on the data-stored
PCMCIA card 38.
[0057] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application
in other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0058] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a portable system for inputting, editing, and
outputting multimedia, however, it is not limited to the details
shown, since it will be understood that various omissions,
modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details
of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those
skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of
the present invention.
[0059] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific
aspects of this invention.
* * * * *